High Prevalence of Major Neurological Disorders in Two Albanian Communities: Results of a Door-to-Door Survey

Kruja, Jera; Beghi, Ettore; Zerbi, D; Dobi, Drini; Kuqo, A.; Zekja, Ilirjana; Mijo, S.; Kapisyzi, M.; Messina, Paolo

doi:10.1159/000336348

Cited by 23 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Crude point prevalence of polyneuropathy in studies using this, or a similar protocol, ranged from 0.8 to 32.5 per 1000 (0.1–3.3 %) persons across all ages [ 11 – 17 , 19 , 20 ]. When only elderly are studied, prevalence ranges from 18.8 to 200 per 1000 persons (1.9–20 %) [ 18 , 21 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

The epidemiology and risk factors of chronic polyneuropathy

et al. 2015

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Polyneuropathy is a disabling condition of the peripheral nerves, characterized by symmetrical distal numbness and paresthesia, often accompanied with pain and weakness. Although the disease is often encountered in neurological clinics and is well known by physicians, incidence and prevalence rates are not well known. We searched EMBASE, Medline, Web-of-science, Cochrane, PubMed Publisher, and Google Scholar, for population-based studies investigating the prevalence of polyneuropathy and its risk factors. Out of 5119 papers, we identified 29 eligible studies, consisting of 11 door-to-door survey studies, 7 case–control studies and 11 cohort/database studies. Prevalence of polyneuropathy across these studies varies substantially. This can partly be explained by differences in assessment protocols and study populations. The overall prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general population seems around 1 % and rises to up to 7 % in the elderly. Polyneuropathy seemed more common in Western countries than in developing countries and there are indications that females are more often affected than males. Risk factor profiles differ across countries. In developing countries communicable diseases, like leprosy, are more common causes of neuropathy, whereas in Western countries especially diabetes, alcohol overconsumption, cytostatic drugs and cardiovascular disease are more commonly associated with polyneuropathy. In all studies a substantial proportion of polyneuropathy cases (20–30 %) remains idiopathic. Most of these studies have been performed over 15 years ago. More recent evidence suggests that the prevalence of polyneuropathy in the general population has increased over the years. Future research is necessary to confirm this increase in prevalence and to identify new and potentially modifiable risk factors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10654-015-0094-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

The epidemiology and risk factors of chronic polyneuropathy

et al. 2015

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“…We found a prevalence of 194.9 per 100,000 on December 31, 2016. With the exception of Sardinia, where in the last 2 decades prevalence raised up to about 224 cases per 100,000 in 2009 [21][22][23], this rate is among the highest figures so far estimated for any large community in continental Italy [24][25][26][27][28], Sicily [29,30], and other parts of southern Europe [8,[31][32][33][34]. The descriptive surveys that have been carried out in Italy since the 1980s are characterized by a similar methodology in case-finding procedures and diagnostic criteria.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Sclerosis in Italy: A 40-Year Follow-Up of the Prevalence in Ferrara

et al. 2018

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Background: To assess a longitudinal follow-up of the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) through 4 decades in the province of Ferrara, northern Italy, and reappraise the current rates on December 31, 2016. Methods: We conducted a community-based intensive prevalence study, by adopting a complete enumeration approach. MS cases were identified from administrative health data and medical records from the Units of Neurology and Motor Rehabilitation, Ferrara University Hospital, from other provincial neurological structures and from archives of the National Pension Institute and National Health Insurance scheme of the study area. Case ascertainment method and case definition are analogous to those adopted in previous surveys in the same area of study. Results: On December 31, 2016, 685 patients (478 women and 207 men) affected by definite or probable MS (Poser’s criteria) were living in the province of Ferrara (population 386,896), yielding a crude prevalence ratio of 194.91 (95% CI 180.4–209.6) per 100,000, 260.8 (95% CI 238.10–285.82) for women and 123.1 (95% CI 106.98–141.21) for men The prevalence ratio was 26.9 per 100,000 in 1978, increased to a value of 46.1 per 100,000 in 1981, 69.4 per 100,000 in 1993, 120.9 per 100,000 in 2004. Female to male ratio was 2.31 (1.2 on December 31, 1978). The mean duration of the disease at prevalence day was 17.5 ± 11.9 years (13.9 ± 10.8 years in 1978). The mean age at prevalence day was 52.04 ± 10.8 years (13.8 ± 10.8 years in 1978). Conclusion: Our study has confirmed the province of Ferrara is an area at high risk for MS, in line with epidemiological data from the regions of continental and insular Italy. The sharp increase in MS prevalence over time in this population can be imputed in part to a greater exposition to risk factors in genetically susceptible subjects but also to an increased survival and improved ascertainment. So, the results suggest that both methodologic and environmental factors are essential in determining the real distribution of MS. The need to get reliable estimates of MS prevalence must be highlighted as a public health and research priority, essential to support planning and prioritization of care services and to reduce the overall burden of chronic disease.

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“… 27 Other reports on the prevalence of parkinsonism show quite a wide range: from 339.6 per 100,000 in Colombia 28 to as high as 659 per 100,000 in Egypt 29 and 800 per 100,000 in Albania. 11 In another study on 15,482 Egyptians aged >40 years, the prevalence of parkinsonism was found to be 316.5 per 100,000 people. 30 Other neuroepidemiologic studies on parkinsonism have mainly focused on the prevalence and/or incidence of PD, which is the most common cause of parkinsonism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“… 9 For instance, the crude prevalence of PD has been estimated to be as low as 15 per 100,000 individuals in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) 10 to as high as 800 per 100,000 persons in Albania. 11 This large variation highlights the fact that epidemiologic features of parkinsonism cannot be generalized to all ethnic groups and societies. Furthermore, the method of data collection is another crucial determinant that might lead to either under- or overestimation of PD prevalence.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medium-to-high prevalence of screening-detected parkinsonism in the urban area of Tehran, Iran: data from a community-based door-to-door study

Fereshtehnejad¹,

Shafieesabet²,

Rahmani³

et al. 2015

NDT

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IntroductionParkinsonism occurs in all ethnic groups worldwide; however, there are wide variations in the prevalence rates reported from different countries, even for neighboring regions. The huge socioeconomic burden of parkinsonism necessitates the need for prevalence studies in each country. So far, there is neither data registry nor prevalence information on parkinsonism in the Iranian population. The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence rate of probable parkinsonism in a huge urban area in Iran, Tehran using a community-based door-to-door survey.Materials and methodsWe used a random multistage sampling of the households within the network of health centers consisting of 374 subunits in all 22 districts throughout the entire urban area of Tehran. Overall, 20,621 individuals answered the baseline checklist and screening questionnaire and data from 19,500 persons aged ≥30 years were entered in the final analysis. Health care professionals used a new six-item screening questionnaire for parkinsonism, which has been previously shown to have a high validity and diagnostic value in the same population.ResultsA total of 157 cases were screened for parkinsonism using the validated six-item questionnaire. After age and sex adjustment based on the Tehran population, the prevalence of parkinsonism was calculated as 222.9 per 100,000. Using the World Health Organization’s World Standard Population, the standardized prevalence rate of parkinsonism was 285 per 100,000 (95% confidence interval 240–329). The male:female ratio of probable parkinsonism was calculated as 1.62, and there was a significant increase in the screening rate by advancing age.ConclusionThe calculated rates for the prevalence of parkinsonism in our study are closer to reports from some European and Middle Eastern countries, higher than reports from Eastern Asian and African populations, and lower than Australia. The prevalence rate of >200 in 100,000 for parkinsonism in Tehran, Iran could be considered a medium-to-high rate.

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High Prevalence of Major Neurological Disorders in Two Albanian Communities: Results of a Door-to-Door Survey

Cited by 23 publications

References 39 publications

The epidemiology and risk factors of chronic polyneuropathy

The epidemiology and risk factors of chronic polyneuropathy

Multiple Sclerosis in Italy: A 40-Year Follow-Up of the Prevalence in Ferrara

Medium-to-high prevalence of screening-detected parkinsonism in the urban area of Tehran, Iran: data from a community-based door-to-door study

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